The Goshen Road - Carlyle, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 36.666 W 089° 21.402
16S E 294803 N 4276255
This trail ran from Shawneetown to cross the Kaskaskia River, then on to Goshen Settlement, across Illinois. This section is at the General William Dean Bridge in Carlyle. Today it is US-50.
Waymark Code: WM546E
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/08/2008
Views: 21
County of Trail: Clinton County
Location of Markers: US-50, roadside Park, Carlyle & 1st St. & Fairfax St., Carlyle
Markers Erected by: The City of Carlyle & The General Dean Suspension Bridge Memorial Committee
Marker Texts:
Years ago when only wildlife roamed the vast prairie of what is now Illinois, large herds of Buffalo would cross the wild Kaskaskia River near the present day city of Carlyle. A natural "ford", formed from the hard river bottom, was located here and allowed for an easier crossing.
Wandering Indian tribes learned to follow these old buffalo "traces" which made easier routes to cross the tall (often 7 ft.) thick prairie grasses in search of game. In later years, western settlers traveled these dusty Indian footpaths across Illinois. These paths were eventually widened into trails by the constant turning of countless wagon wheels. The wagon trail soon came to be known as "The Goshen Road" as it led from the Shawneetown salt works near the Ohio River to the Goshen settlement (near Edwardsville) in the American Bottoms on the Mississippi River. In 1811, John Hill settled near this ford and built a block house in which to protect his family from rampaging Indians. He began a small ferrying service at the ford.
In 1831, this bridge was known as "Slade's Bridge" named after the two brothers who built it. The bridge was an important travel link for the Vincennes -- St. Louis stagecoach route which was part of the Goshen Road.